Erik Smith

I see an empty slot on my shelf, or at least a space I could jam another box, so maybe these:

USPS changed their rules a little while back - I hadn’t been selling or shipping much for a couple years then listed some model “lots” on eBay and saw that they changed the rules based on volume instead of just weight (they always had upper restriction on priority but it was fairly generous). I can’t remember exactly what the total dimensions rule is, but shipping went from $15 to $40 or so because of an inch too long in overall dimension. Funny thing is, I ordered a kit from Plaza Japan recently and used economy air and it was about the same as USPS priority. I have three kits in my cart right now and economy air is $27. I would avoid shipping anything right now - been tracking recent shipments in and out and they are going a little bonkers. Even Amazon packages are grossly exceeding the “I need it in two days” prime deal.

What would it have cost you to buy all the same items from Canada or the US? I have usually found the price difference makes up for shipping. The tax isn’t anything HLJ can change. The cheap shipping options from Japan can take months to arrive, especially this year. One of mine took exactly two months. I still have one en route since September 26.

Or retool the body like the nova wagon.

If you want “truly factory quality”, contact a company that makes water slide decals. Micro Scale will make them for you, but you will need 250 sheets minimum. http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=Custom

They could throw in a set of desert dawgs and call it a high roller! According the “The Directory”, the blue car kit #1-0881 is an 83-84 released in 84 (my box has an ‘83 copyright). First release was ‘82 car kit 1-0841 released in 83 - red car I assume. It appears to be a really cool kit. I have never attempted them though so not sure how it goes together. Here is a real one I saw earlier this year.

Some more Capri nerd-ness The mold was altered (I would guess they had to alter it?) from the first release to add the “scored lines” inside the body to guide the removal of material. I never noticed before looking closely at the instruction sheet.

Interesting, sort of. The Cafe racer is the kit T474 without the stock parts. Here is the sheet from T474 - same thing about cutting and adding the flares to the “race” version.

Ah, that’s an idea I forgot about. Is it a consignment deal? Does the dealer sell on eBay or just wherever?

This topic comes up quite a bit. It depends on what you expect to get, how much work you want to put in, and what kits you have. If you have readily available kits, such as new or recently released, you can sell them on eBay. However, it will be a lot of work, you won’t make much, and you will not be able to build models you have left because you will be photographing, listing, answering questions, packing, and shipping models. I don’t know a good way to unload easy to find models other than as combined “lots” on eBay or low prices on local markets such as Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Or just sell them all to one reseller. If you have rare and/or valuable kits, sell them on eBay. Largest market, period. Yes there are fees and annoyances, but there is nothing else like it. As I’ve said before, stealing from Churchill, “eBay is the worst way to sell models, except for all the other ways”.

I don’t think the Capri was modified much if at all - I have or had versions except the cafe racer (kit 224), but believe the Capri II “S” was released after and it still had an unaltered body. The “S” version did not have any chrome parts, and I don’t have it anymore, and can’t remember if it was changed from earlier versions or just dechromed. So, if nothing else, the “S” tooling should have been good. Market values on the kit, though, aren’t that great considering it’s been out of print for almost 40 years - fairly easy to pick up for $30-40. But would be nice as a “new” release for less $.

I think Rob’s idea is a good one. I have a couple old MPC Southern Stocker cars laying around that I’ve thought of “streetifying” for a while. So, depending on how January through next November go, I may give it a try!

Oy, slow progress is better than no progress. I remember why, as a younger modeler, I hated this era of MPC kits - now it’s more of a love hate thing. More work on all the black trim and the “glass”, which fits rather ambiguously. Hopefully it doesn’t interfere too much with the interior tub, or pop out when I have to stretch the body quite a bit to insert the tub. We will see. I also finished the exhaust on the big V6 and most of the simplified chassis.

Who wouldn’t want an old Toyota Echo with steel wheels?

Seems there is more vetting on BAT vs eBay. You can see questions and comments from the audience, potential bidders, and sellers. Lots of information gets disseminated. I have bid on but never purchased.

Any of the 66-69 Falcons.

Oh man, I had to order one also. It looks like a great little conversion and a decent price.

Yes, it’s the old AMT 1965 wagon kit with the straight six from the Trumpeter Nova.

Yes, they’re pretty easy. Hex rod, round stock and paint.

It doesn’t seem practical in the current times - what with curbside pickup, that trunk is a liability.

Placing buy-it-now items on your watch list allows sellers to offer “deals”. Usually a 5-10% discount, but I’ve received offers of 25% or more before.

It’s an Australian brochure, so there is a difference. I like the smooth, hole free look on the steel wheels.